May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced voluntary recalls on numerous power tools for yard work, including gas-powered STIHL trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners, and backpack blowers that utilize a toolless fuel cap.
May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - Summer officially kicks off this weekend and millions of Americans will celebrate with a cookout. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to check their grills and "fire it up safely" to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning--and also make sure your grill hasn't been recalled.
May 25, 2011 (La Mesa)-- Firefighters from Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a fire last night at 9:56 p.m. in the 5700 Block of Baltimore Drive. Upon arrival, the second floor condo was well involved in fire and the fire was extending to the third floor.
Update May 25: Authorities have now concluded that the parents planned their own suicides and the killings of their two children. The couple detailed plans in notes left behind indicating the family had troubles, however authorities have not disclosed details
May 24, 2011 (San Diego) – Priscilla Pimienta was supposed to graduate from High Tech High School tomorrow. But her family will never see her accept her diploma. This morning, Priscilla was found dead at her home in the 100 block of Parkcreek Court, along with her parents and younger sister.
Program to be funded by workforce partners in community and through student fees
May 23, 2011 (Sacramento) – To help meet demand for more college graduates to help drive California’s economy, Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (AD-78) has authored legislation to look at alternate ways to help students achieve a baccalaureate degree.
AB 661 would allow Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and San Mateo County Community College District to establish baccalaureate degree pilot programs in subject areas where workforce need is high. Yesterday, AB 661 cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee without opposition.
May 25, 2011 (Lemon Grove) --The Lemon Grove Historical Society will hold its 34th annual meeting on June 2 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House, 3205 Olive. The event will honor military veterans with a special performance of swing music of World War II by the dynamic trio, "Sweet Potato" (Robin Fuller, vocals and piano; Rich Archambeau, saxophone; and Don Holcomb, bass).
May 25, 2011 (Washington D.C) —With the U.S. government expected to hit the $14.294 trillion debt ceiling this week, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, called for action on H.R. 1551, the Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act.
The legislation guarantees that, in the event the debt limit is reached or a lapse in federal funding occurs, all military families, in addition to civilians working in combat zones, continue to receive paychecks. Cosponsors include San Diego representatives Bob Filner, a Democrat, and Republican Brian Bilbray.
May 25, 2011 (Poway) – Poway Chamber of Commerce is planning the inaugural San Diego Inland Business Expo. The Expo will showcase a variety of businesses, giving attendees an opportunity to find business services and products appropriate for their needs. The event will be held at Barona Resort & Casino’s Golf Center,1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd. in Lakeside on June 2 from 3-7 p.m.
Push comes as major drug busts made at border involving Mexican trucks
By Jeremy Los
May 22, 2011- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) is leading a bi-partisan push to end a cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican trucks to use U.S. roadways. Hunter and Illinois Democrat Daniel Lipinski sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood protesting the agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The letter has rare bipartisan agreement, signed by 42 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle including Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego).
The lawmakers claim that the program will tarnish border security as well as hurt the American economy and cost jobs. In addition, concerns have been raised over highway safety.
May 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.
Top global and national news stories include:
U.S.
• Congress leaves without any ok on Libya action (NPR)
• GOP on the defensive as voters resist Medicare plan (New York Times)
• Democrats grab “safe” GOP seat (CNN)
• Palin movie coming to theaters this summer (CNN)
• Missouri tornado deadliest in decades (CNN)
• Storms kill 13 as they tear through Midwest (CNN)
• EPA criticized for scaling back monitoring fallout from Japan disaster (American Independent)
WORLD
• Mubarak to be tried for murder of protesters (Reuters)
• TEPCO confirms meltdown at 2 more Fukushima reactors
• Egyptian pyramids found by infra-red satellite images (BBC)
• Thousands face volcanic ash cloud flight cancellations (BBC)
• Group gathers at Jordanian embassy with petition to make country official Palestinian homeland (Jerusalem Post)
• Bomb attack hits 15 NATO fuel trucks in Pakistan
May 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Three men, one brandishing a gun, robbed the AM PM Mart at 6404 Mission Gorge Road at 1:01 a.m. The suspects are described as black male adults in their 20s, wearing hoodies and baggy jeans.
Divinity Of Doubt: The God Question, By Vincent Bugliosi (Vanguard Press, New York, NY 2011, 338 Pages)
Book Review by Dennis Moore
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)."
May 24, 2011 (San Diego)--New York Times number one bestselling author of Helter Skelter and one of America's foremost prosecutors, Vincent Bugliosi, has written a provocative book that indicts organized religion, theism, and atheism alike. In Divinity of Doubt he brings his case for agnosticism.
May 24, 2011 (Alpine) –Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Mary Tedesco advises that she received a phone call today from a resident who was called by a person claiming to be a representative from the Fireman’s Association—asking for a $500 donation.
“Firefighters DO NOT solicit for money,” Tedesco advised in a bulletin sent to the Alpine Community Network. “The only time we collect money is for the annual boot drive on the streets (in uniform) for the Burn Institute, and that takes place all over San Diego for just one day. Other than that.......NO PHONE CALLS OR ASKING FOR MONEY EVER!”
Festivities and Thank You Lunch Follow Trail Projects at Los Peñasquitos June 4
May 24, 2011 (Los Penasquitos) -- The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation invites the public to celebrate National Trails Day on June 4 at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve by pitching in on morning trail improvements, then enjoying lunch and live entertainment.
Program Expands Coverage for Uninsured, Thanks to Federal Funds
May 24, 2011 (San Diego)--Today the County Board of Supervisors approved implementation of the Low Income Health Program (LIHP). The program will expand the successful Coverage Initiative program which the County's Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been operating since 2007.
The expanded program will provide access to primary care and mental health benefits to low-income, uninsured adults. The program will help improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs in the region. LIHP will serve single, medically indigent individuals at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, and provide them with a patient-centered medical home.
May 24, 2011 (Lake Murray) – Organizers of the annual Music Fest and Fireworks show at Lake Murray seek donations—large and small--to fund this year’s event on the 4th of July.
“We understand times are tight right now, so here's the deal,” a press release issued by Navajo Events, the organizer of the Music Fest, states. “If you and each of your neighbors were able to scrounge up just 20 bucks to donate we would be in great shape."
May 24, 2011 (Spring Valley)– The Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has approved its budget for fiscal year 2011-2012. The budget adopted by the District includes a rate increase of 7.7 percent for water service and a 7.5 percent rate increase for sewer effective January, 2012.
"The $78.1 million operating budget and $22.6 million Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) budget reflect the District’s ongoing efforts to lessen the impact of higher water costs on customers," a press release issued by the district stated.
May 24, 2011 (Santee) –Sean Breese, 28, of La Mesa has been arrested for attempting to rob a woman at the Santee Town Center this morning. The victim told Sheriff’s detectives that the suspect tried to forcefully grab her purse out of her hands as she stood in front of Panda Express.
“During the violent struggle with the suspect, the victim was able to scream, alerting others around her,” said Sgt. Tom Poulin.
May 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – One day after a deadly tornado destroyed one-third of Joplin, Missouri, killing over 100 and leaving 1500 missing, new tornado warnings have been issued for the plains states and Ozarks areas. Areas most apt to have severe tornados today and tonight include portions of Arkanasa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and northern Texas.
May 24, 2011 (San Diego) –San Diego City Council has approved the biggest cost cutting move in San Diego’s history: reforming retiree health benefits, which is estimated to save the City $714,000,000 in coming years.
“With this agreement the City is keeping faith with retirees and taxpayers by creating a sustainable benefit and freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars needed for City services like public safety, libraries and parks,” said Councilmember Marti Emerald, who announced the pending agreement during her recent State of the District address.
May 24, 2011 (San Diego) Parents from around the county, objecting to years of cuts to public school funding, will demand action from lawmakers at a 4:30 p.m. rally on Tuesday, May 24th at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way in Balboa Park.
May 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – A team of seventh graders from Day-McKellar Preparatory School in La Mesa will advance to the finals for the National History Day Competition in June 12-16 in Maryland. The team took first place at the California State National History Day Competition earlier this month with an award-winning performance on the 1980 U.S.-led Olympic boycott.
May 23, 2011 (San Diego) – Today’s Netflix Streaming Pick of the Week is inspired by this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which wrapped up yesterday. The film world has been abuzz with Cannes fever including, but not limited to, Lars Von Trier’s controversial Hitler remarks and the Palme d’Or going to Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life.
May 23, 2011 (Santee) --The Santee Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Third Annual Street Fair on Saturday, May 28, 2011 from 10am to 7pm to support the Santee Food Bank. The Street Fair will be on Riverview Parkway at Mission Gorge Road, next to the Trolley Square shopping center. Around 300 Food booths and vendor displays, and rides will be open from 10am to 7pm. A beer garden sponsored and operated by Santee Sportsplex will be open from 6 pm to 11pm.
May 23, 2011 (Lemon Grove) --The Lemon Grove Historical Society will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, May 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Parsonage Museum. Lots of like-new Cal King comforters and shams and sheet sets, lighting new in the box, plastic toddler trike, clothing, household and more. To donate items, call 619-460-4353 for pickup or arrange drop-off. All proceeds benefit the Parsonage Museum and the H. Lee House Cultural Center.
May 23, 2011 (San Diego) – Police are searching for a dark blue PT cruiser, license 4YCB000, that was carjacked last night at 11:26 p.m. at 2340 El Cajon Blvd in University Heights. The suspect, who was known to the 21-year-old victim, put a taser to her neck and demanded that she get out of the car, according to San Diego Police Officer Delimitros.
May 22, 2011 (Ramona) – A major accident involving two vehicles, one over the side, at 15714 has shut down Vista Vicente Drive inboth directions.A medical heliciopter is en route.CHP reported at 7:09 p.m. that one subject is “combative.” No further details are yet available.
May 25, 2011 (La Mesa)-- Firefighters from Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a fire last night at 9:56 p.m. in the 5700 Block of Baltimore Drive. Upon arrival, the second floor condo was well involved in fire and the fire was extending to the third floor. 
May 23, 2011 (Sacramento) – To help meet demand for more college graduates to help drive California’s economy, Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (AD-78) has authored legislation to look at alternate ways to help students achieve a baccalaureate degree.
Divinity Of Doubt: The God Question, By Vincent Bugliosi (Vanguard Press, New York, NY 2011, 338 Pages)
May 24, 2011 (Lake Murray) – Organizers of the annual Music Fest and Fireworks show at Lake Murray seek donations—large and small--to fund this year’s event on the 4th of July.
May 24, 2011 (Spring Valley)– The Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has approved its budget for fiscal year 2011-2012. The budget adopted by the District includes a rate increase of 7.7 percent for water service and a 7.5 percent rate increase for sewer effective January, 2012.
May 24, 2011 (Santee) –Sean Breese, 28, of La Mesa has been arrested for attempting to rob a woman at the Santee Town Center this morning. The victim told Sheriff’s detectives that the suspect tried to forcefully grab her purse out of her hands as she stood in front of Panda Express. 
By Miriam Raftery (guest columnist)
May 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – One day after a deadly tornado destroyed one-third of Joplin, Missouri, killing over 100 and leaving 1500 missing, new tornado warnings have been issued for the plains states and Ozarks areas. Areas most apt to have severe tornados today and tonight include portions of Arkanasa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and northern Texas.
May 24, 2011 (San Diego) Parents from around the county, objecting to years of cuts to public school funding, will demand action from lawmakers at a 4:30 p.m. rally on Tuesday, May 24th at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way in Balboa Park.
May 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – A team of seventh graders from Day-McKellar Preparatory School in La Mesa will advance to the finals for the National History Day Competition in June 12-16 in Maryland. The team took first place at the California State National History Day Competition earlier this month with an award-winning performance on the 1980 U.S.-led Olympic boycott.
By Brian Lafferty
May 23, 2011 (San Diego) – Police are searching for a dark blue PT cruiser, license 4YCB000, that was carjacked last night at 11:26 p.m. at 2340 El Cajon Blvd in University Heights. The suspect, who was known to the 21-year-old victim, put a taser to her neck and demanded that she get out of the car, according to San Diego Police Officer Delimitros. 
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